The Gruenfeld (Greenfield) Defense belongs to the closed games and is named after grandmaster Ernst Gruenfeld, who was a professional player in 1919.
The Gruenfeld begins with 1.d2-d4 Sg8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6 3.Sb1-c3 d7-d5
The Gruenfeld Defense is still popular and was played by many famous players like Viktor Korchnoi, Vasily Smyslov, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
The famous game of Donald Byrne – Bobby Fischer, called – Game of the Century! – was played with the Gruenfeld Defense.
The Main Variation is the Exchange Variation 1.d2-d4 Sg8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6 3.Sb1-c3 d7-d5 4.c4xd5 Sf6xd5 5.e2-e4 Sd5xc3 6.b2xc3 Lf8-g7 See below
White created a mighty pawn formation in the center and has space advantage. Black has to attack and undermine this white pawn structure. On the queenside Black has a pawn majority of two pawns against one white pawn and could create a passed pawn in the endgame. This opening leads to a game with lots of tactical chances for both sides.
The Modern Variation continues 7. Sg1-f3 c7-c5 8. Ta1-b1
Classical Variation 7. Lf1-c4 c7-c5 8. Sg1-e2 c5xd4 9. c3xd4 Sb8-c6 10. Lc1-e3 0-0 11. 0-0
or 7. Lf1-c4 c7-c5 8. Sg1-e2 0-0 9. 0-0 Sc6 10. Lc1-e3 Lg4 11. f2-f3 Sc6-a5 12. Lc4xf7+ match Karpow-Kasparow 1987
Bobby Fischer played a different set up where he puts his queen to c7 and the rook to d8. (from Smyslow) 10. Lc1-e3 Dd8-c7 11. Ta1-c1 Tf8-d8
Gruenfeld Defense – Explained
Nakamura vs. Karjakin | Gruenfeld Defense
Replay Games of the Gruenfeld Defense
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